The Community Rating System (CRS) is a part of the NFIP. Local governments participating in the CRS go beyond the minimum standards for floodplain management.
The Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 and the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 made the purchase of flood insurance mandatory for federally backed mortgages on buildings located in a Special Hazard Flood Area.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is an arm of FEMA. Established in 1968, its goal is to reduce flood losses by fostering effective building practices.